Atlanta was the favorite by many to make the Superbowl this
season after a surprising 2002. The big difference last season
was Michael Vick who served notice that the product was up
to the hype - a rarity these days. Vick then jeopardized that
2003 outlook when he laid on the field with a broken right
ankle in the preseason game against the Ravens. Vick will
return this season - possibly as early as week 5, but regardless
his absence changes the entire offense for Atlanta, as well
as the way the opponents will prepare for the Falcons.

Doug Johnson will serve as a good replacement until Vick
returns and while he will not showcase running skills like
Vick, he is an accurate passer and should hold down the fort
with no real problems. His role is made easier this season
than it would have been in 2002, since the Falcons added Peerless
Price to significantly upgrade the receivers. With Price stretching
the defenses, look for Brian Finneran to maintain good numbers
from last season while Quentin McCord will play as the #3
receiver.

Warrick Dunn will be counted on more heavily in the running
game the first month with Vick out but will get help from
T.J. Duckett who will try to spend his sophomore season more
healthy than last year. Dunn is planned to be used for more
passes out of the backfield while Vick is there and with Johnson,
he'll likely need to stay home a bit more to help block in
passing situations. The plan is to use both Duckett and Dunn
in the same backfield more this year.

Alge Crumpler may benefit the most from having Price there
to clear out the safeties from the middle of the field. Since
Reggie Kelly left in free agency, Crumpler should turn in
a nice year as a valuable outlet for both Johnson and Vick.

Bill Parcells returned for yet another run at the Superbowl
only this time he starts out with less than ever before. There
is no pretense in Dallas of a dramatic turnaround and certainly
neither Parcells or Jerry Jones expects that in the first
season of admitting the 1990's have ended.

Parcells finally nodded at Quincy Carter as the starting
quarterback which given the offensive line was a great move
since only Carter can run away from trouble. Chad Hutchinson
has not proven to be a rekindled Troy Aikman regardless of
the similarities in appearance. Carter's job this year will
be to operate the offense efficiently, minimize mistakes by
throwing the ball away or taking off on a run and occasionally
take advantage of a strong arm with deep throws. Hutchinson
has not improved this summer and is actually more in a fight
with Tony Romo for the #2 quarterback slot.

Troy Hambrick finally gets his long awaited shot at being
the first new Cowboy starting running back since Emmitt Smith
was drafted in 1991. He is still an unknown for the most part,
rushing little in the preseason until the final game last
week where he looked all world against a Raiders team that
played with all the emotion and focus of a DMV worker the
day before retirement. Still, he showed a few actual moves
and decent speed. Parcells will give him the opportunities
but also use FB Richie Anderson and probably Aveion Cason
for some different flavor.

The Cowboys actually have a nice set of receivers in Joey
Galloway and Antonio Bryant, with Terry Glenn ready to come
in at any time. Parcells will feature what ever part of the
offense is working the best and given the tough schedule,
the receiving game will matter at least in the second half
of most games. Bryant will miss this game as he heals from
a slight tear in his quadricep and Terry Glenn will cover
for him.

The Cowboys would love a win for Parcells in his first game,
but the Falcon defense will play tough and while a new offense
always presents some problems to a defense, the rough edges
for Dallas will show. This game should be a bit higher scoring
than will later prove the norm, but in the end the Falcons
will present a more veteran, better stocked effort.